Vietnam’s VinFast partners with Tensor to produce fully autonomous EVs

VinFast attracted significant attention by announcing its partnership with Tensor to produce the Tensor Robocar, a fully autonomous EV model.

This vehicle is the world’s first level-4 self-driving car to be commercialized for individual customers, rather than being limited to ride-sharing services as previous models have been.

According to the Society of Automotive Engineers’ classification, level-4 autonomous vehicles can operate fully automatically under most conditions, requiring human intervention only in exceptional situations.

Compared to current vehicles that typically achieve only level 2 or 3 autonomy, the Tensor Robocar represents a major breakthrough in the autonomous vehicle industry.

VinFast will manufacture the vehicle at its factory in Hai Phong City, northern Vietnam, following a complete production process from stamping, welding, and painting to final assembly.

This marks the first time a Vietnamese automaker has taken on the role of producing a high-level autonomous vehicle for the global market.

Tensor, founded in 2016, has held testing permits in California, including driverless operations since 2020.

The Robocar will be equipped with a complex sensor system consisting of over 100 components, including 37 cameras, five LiDAR sensors, 11 radars, and numerous other supporting technologies.

This configuration enables the vehicle to accurately perceive its surroundings, handle a wide variety of traffic scenarios, and respond promptly even under adverse conditions.

The vehicle’s steering wheel and pedals can fold away when not in use, creating a spacious and flexible cabin environment.

A highlight of the Tensor Robocar is its AI platform, Tensor Foundation Model, which allows the car to react swiftly to real-world traffic environments and demonstrates the ability to interpret, reason, and manage complex situations.

This technology brings autonomous vehicles closer to widespread commercialization rather than remaining at the research stage.

The Tensor Robocar is also designed to self-clean its sensors, self-diagnose faults, update its software automatically, and maintain connectivity even in low-signal environments like parking garages.

The vehicle’s power and telecommunications systems are designed for easy upgrades, an extended lifespan, and reliable performance under harsh conditions.

However, according to Forbes, the Tensor Robocar may not be capable of fully autonomous driving on every road immediately after launch. 

It is expected to operate on select routes such as expressways and major thoroughfares, with owners able to drive manually on other roads.

The selection of VinFast as the manufacturing partner for Tensor Robocar confirms the company’s production capabilities and technological proficiency.

Amid the global shift toward automation in the electric vehicle industry, the Tensor Robocar not only represents a breakthrough product but also marks a significant advancement in VinFast’s position on the global automotive map.

Tensor, formerly known as AutoX, is a U.S.-based robotaxi company that has been actively operating in various markets, especially China, where it manages a fleet reportedly exceeding 1,000 robotaxis in the suburbs of Shenzhen.